Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874-1936) was one of the most original
minds of the twentieth century. He was a gifted journalist,
essayist, biographer, poet, novelist, playwright, philosopher,
debater, and defender of common sense, of Christianity, and of the
Catholic faith. He was truly an influential man of his time,
writing thousands of essays and hundreds of books. Today he remains
one of the best and most quoted writers of the English language. In
this book of essays, Father James V. Schall, a prolific author
himself and a prominent Catholic writer, brings readers to
Chesterton through a witty series of original reflections prompted
by something Chesterton wrote--timely essays on timeless issues.
Like Chesterton, Schall consciously leads the reader to the reality
of what is, of what is true and what is at the heart of things. It
is a handbook of how to take up almost any essay or chapter or
paragraph of Chesterton's many works and, upon further reflection,
come to realize that he was a profoundly wise man who still teaches
vividly and accurately a century after he wrote. Schall easily
captures Chesterton's fondness of life and laughter, and at the
same time, makes readers aware of Chesterton's extreme insight and
rigorous understanding of ideas and truth. Included in this book is
an introductory chapter on Chesterton as a "journalist," which is
how he identified himself, and a concluding chapter that provides
an extended reflection on Chesterton's world. Forty-one essays
comprise the heart of the book. They range widely in subject
matter, from the Catholic Church as the "natural home of the human
spirit," through such topics as virtue and honor, horror and
detective stories, toys and Christmas, right and wrong, to the
shocking conclusion that indeed "dogmas are not dull." James V.
Schall, S.J., is author of more than twenty books, hundreds of
articles, and monthly columns in Gilbert! and Crisis. He is
professor in the Department of Government at Georgetown University.
His book At the Limits of Political Philosophy: From "Brilliant
Errors" to Things of Uncommon Importance was published by CUA Press
in 1996. PRAISE FOR THE BOOK: "Schall on Chesterton sends us
rushing back to Chesterton's own writings with new insights and
renewed enthusiasm. It is the guide to the twentieth century's
wisest and most misunderstood prophet."--John Peterson, editor,
Gilbert! "One of the great themes in Father Schall's book derives
from his insistance that good literature provide a moral
illumination for ordinary life. Because of the vast number of books
and articles which Chesterton wrote, few people can claim and
exhaustive knowledge of his writings. Father Schall is one of that
small company. He shares with his hero something that Chesterton
attributed to St. Thomas Aquinas--an intense interest in the
significance of everyday existence, a quality which Chesterton
called "a fury for life.' "--Rev. Ian Boyd, C.S.B., editor, The
Chesterton Review "Who could be more appropriate to write about
Chesterton than so subtle and prolific an essayist as Father James
V. Schall? Like Chesterton, he is a skilled presenter of eternal
truths."--Prof. John P. McCarthy, Fordham University "Father James
Schall excels as an essayist whose critical discriminations and
insights are invaluable to readers in search of literary and
political and religious understanding of the more vexing problems
of the modern world."--Prof. George A. Panichas, editor, Modern Age
"This is a new book of essays about Chesterton, the master of the
literary essay. And the author, James Schall, is himself a
considerable essayist and author of several books. . . . L
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